Peijin Wang graduated from Duke’s Master of Biostatistics program in May 2022. She then entered Duke’s PhD in Biostatistics program, where she is currently a third-year student.
Educational Journey
- Could you share your academic background and what led you to pursue a Master’s in Biostatistics at Duke?
I completed my undergraduate studies in Statistics at Central South University in China. I have always been deeply interested in medicine, inspired by medical shows and books, which motivated me to pursue further studies in a related field. I chose Duke’s MB program because it offers a comprehensive curriculum focused on quantitively clinical research methods. The department has faculty experts across diverse fields, providing a unique opportunity to explore different aspects. Working and learning from them can benefit my academic career. I was also impressed by the valuable opportunities to work on real-world data projects, which can enrich my hands-on experience.
- What inspired you to continue with a doctorate after completing the Master’s program?
My long-term career goal is to work in academia, where a doctoral degree is necessary. I am passionate about research and find great satisfaction in solving complex problems. To be able to ask the right research questions and address them efficiently, I realized I needed a deeper, more rigorous training to enhance my research capabilities. This motivated me to pursue a doctoral program after completing the MB program.
Experiences and Impact
- Were there any specific projects, internships, or research experiences during your Master's education that influenced your decision to pursue a doctorate?
When I was a Master student, I participated in a methodological project that required me to read numerous research papers and prove some theorems to make my research solid. This experience highlighted the importance of having a solid foundation in statistics, which motivates me to pursue a doctorate to further strengthen my expertise .
- Could you describe a memorable mentorship experience you had at Duke? How did it shape your career or academic goals?
In my second year of the MB program, I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant with my master thesis advisor. As a research assistant, my responsibility went beyond conducting analyses or designing trials; I also needed to communicate my results and ideas to the clinical team. My advisor helped me prepared for those meetings by helping me anticipate questions from others on the team. Through this, I began to understand the importance of asking questions and challenging my own research. Although it is a skill I am still developing, I have found that questioning my work has strengthened the rigor and comprehensiveness of my research.
This experience taught me that research is a long-term endeavor that requires continuous improvement. Working through it, I realized the value of constantly questioning myself to refine my work and make it better.
Research and Career Path
- What areas of biostatistics or related fields are you currently researching, and what excites you about this work?
My current research focuses on Bayesian statistics and clinical trial design. I am working on a project that uses Bayesian methods to borrow information from existing data to reduce the required sample size of future randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This work is very existing because it makes RCTs for rare or life-threatening diseases more feasible, as recruiting enough patients to maintain the statistical power is often challenging in these scenarios .
- What are some skills or techniques from Duke’s Master’s program that you use most frequently in your current research or studies?
The theory and applied courses from the MB program have been essential, my doctoral-level courses and research built upon this strong foundation. Additionally, the ability to communicate effectively with clinicians and non-statisticians has been useful. As a PhD student, I am also working as a research assistant. I regularly meet with clinicians to explain statistical analysis results. Strong communication skills are crucial for success of these projects.
Another important skill is about academic writing. Some MB program courses included assignments on reading and writing, which prepared me well for the demands of my PhD. Writing is a significant part of my daily life, including drafting my own research papers, the statistical analysis plan, the statistical method section in medical manuscripts.
Advice for Current and Prospective Students
- What advice would you give to students considering a Master’s in Biostatistics or a doctoral program?
For students interests in a master program, I recommend joining a lab or working with a faculty member as soon as you are comfortable with the courses. Nowadays, it is competitive to either apply for an industry job or a PhD program, having some research or working experience can make you stand out and increase your chances of receiving offers.
For students interested in a PhD program, I suggest gaining experience in methodological research and aiming to publish if possible. I think it would be beneficial if PhD applicants have one or two methodological papers that they can discuss in interviews. In my own PhD interviews, I was frequently asked about my methodological research rather than applied works.
- What resources, classes, or activities would you recommend to current Master’s students who are thinking about pursuing a PhD?
I recommend students interested in pursuing a PhD join a lab to gain more research experience. Maintaining a good GPA is also important. When applying to PhD programs, I suggest reviewing each program’s curriculum and speaking with their current PhD students to learn about the program. Some programs have high requirements for math, while others are less demanding in this area. (All programs will say they are heavy-methodological, but from the curriculum, you can infer about how methodological they are.) PhD programs vary a lot; some are more applied while others are more methodological, which make them have different expectations about their candidates.
Reflections and Looking Ahead
- Where do you hope to see yourself professionally in the next five to ten years?
I plan to work in academia, aiming for a faculty position within the five to ten years. Before that, I may pursue a post doc position to further develop my research skill.
- Any last thoughts on the importance of biostatistics in today’s world and what keeps you passionate about the field?
I think biostatistics is one essential foundation of medical research, providing the tools and insights that can directly impact patients’ lives. Knowing that our work contributes to advancements in healthcare keeps me passionate about what I do.